Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1887-05-29
BAD POINTS m HoRsrs.

BAD POINTS IN HORSES.
Rules are given for the guidance Of
those who selee. horses for the use Of
the cavalry IN the army Of Great Brit
atm, and quite number Of these rules
are applicable in choosing horses for
any kind Of work. They are as fol-
loEs.
!. Size-F0ur-year-olds-i. e.. three
OF alter October I--should not b. les
than Is OF hands nor exceed Is IL
Tor light cavalry. For medium they
should not be less than 15.l nor over
ID For heavy cavalry not less than
l5.Z nor over 1881. N.B.-In mea-
suring horse or judging Of his hight
and size by sight. take care that he
stands on q level with yourself. Deal
ers generally stand a horse. If under
sized, on higher ground, or, If over size,
on lower ground than the intending
purchaser.
?. Want Of fair amount Of breed
ing should be an absolute bar.
Reject the following:
8. Those with big, coarse heads.
1. With small. sunken eyes. They
are generally obstinate and sulky.
5. OF a color light of the sort.
g. A long. slack back. Il viii not
carry weight.
!. A hollow back. The formation is
weak.
8. Flat sides. They viii not do work
or look well.
Q. A slack loin--i e., undue length
between the last ribs and hind quar-
tiers tsaeruml. They are often bad
feeders and viii run up light with
work.
10. A light loin--i E., want OF breadth
over the loins. They run up light with
work.
IL. Seraggy hips. They never do
credit TO feeding, particularly if also
slack in the loins.
~. A bad girth-i. e., " light through
the heart" This formation will always
cause trouble in saddling.
IL. A thick or short neck.
IA. Unless it has good rein. With
a clumsy neck the head is in conse-
quence badly set on. Without a good
rein horse will never break well
IS. Very low withers. The saddle
will be apt TO work forward, and the
80 rein " will probably be deficient, and
the leverage for the muscles of the
forehead Is defective.
is. II very short. There Is not room
enough for the kit.
N.B.-To see the above points (1-l6)
stand on the side and form your opin-
ion before the horse moves off.
IL. A narrow or shallow chest. There
IS not sufficient capacity for the lungs
Is. Forelegs very close together; this
and the former generally 20 together
To see these points stand IN front.
10. Whose lorelegs are not straight.
They will not stand wear. Stand be-
hind the horse rs he walks away from
YOU, and you will be able To notice
these defects If they exist.
%. Light below the knee, especially
if Immediately below the knee. The
conformation is essentially weak.
p. Long, or with short or upright
pasternS. Long pasterns are subject
to sprains. Short or upright pasterns
make horses unpleasant to ride, and on
account OF extra conclusion are apt TO
cause ossihc deposits.
p. Toes turned in or out. The twist
generally occurs at the fetlock. Toes
turned out are more Objectionable than
toes turned IN. When toes are turned
out the fetlocks are generally turned
in, and animals so formed are very apt
TO cut or brush. Both, however, arC
weak formations.
-. Whose hind legs are too far be-
hind. Good propelling power will be
wanting, and disease AS a result may
be expected in the hooks.
p. Which goes either very wide or
very close behind.
25. With very straight or very bent
hooks. The former cause undue con-
cussion the latter are apt TO give way.
p. Which is split up ii. T., shows
much daylight between his thighs.
PrOpelling power comes from behind
and must be deficient in horses without
due muscular development between
the thighs.
p. With fiat feet or over-large feet,
also with very small feet. Medium
size are the best.
p. With one foot smaller than an
other.
Action must be light, easy, free and
straight Reject n horse that crosses
his legs in walking or trOtting. He
will be unsafe. Freedom, power 20
move easily along. is the great point
in Young horse. Knee action i not
essential; il will come with the bit and
breaking. A good walk is absolutely
essential. Reject hos sc that does not
walk well he is never pleasant to ride.
Ii a horse walks well he will probably
trot well. but a horse may trot well
without walking we'll. To ascertain
whether the action is true and straight,
stand behind the horse as he walks
and trots away from you. You can
not ascertain this important point
by standing on the side. Never omit
To stand behind n horse as he walks
away.
A good sloping shoulder Is an inn
portant item IN a riding horse, but bad
action may cO-exiSt with good; and
vice versa. good. free action may Co
exist with "a somewhat straight shout
der. Reject horse that is straight in
the shoulder and long from the point
Of the shoulder 10 the upper part OF the
forearm This formation places the
forelegs too much under the horse and
makes him unsafe to ride.
You may have plain horse, even Il
all the above very apparent defects are
absent, aud you viii at least have
serviceable one A horse should be
rejected for any one really bad fault
The greatest streRgth Of a horse is linz
tied by his worst point. Horses are
often bought because they possess one
or more good points This Is a wrong
principle in buying The selection OF
horses should begin by rejection for
bad points Bad points are, OF course,
IN great measure a question OF degree
Discretion Is needed in rejecting as wei
- Ia buying. .
Having tirst Of all kept clear Of all
absolute defects such as the above,
then select your horses for the pres
ence OF good, serviceable and hand
some points. and easy. free, graceful
carriage.
sALTTNo BUTTER.